One of the most
effective and creative ways of putting together a photo album is by collecting
photos from a range of different sources, from your phone to your tablet to
your laptop. This is particularly the case if you are interested in collating
an album with a thematic basis, which might include images from a diverse range
of times and places. Being able to access more than one storage source expands
creative scope when it comes to organizing photos.

It’s also really handy
to be able to store albums both online and offline. Putting them online enables
for easy sharing with family and friends, and having them offline meanseasy access 24 hours a day, regardless
of whether or not you an internet connection is available.

Here, we take a look at
three apps that enable the creation and sharing of fun and dynamic photo
albums.

Nerokwik

Description

Nerokwik provides users
with the capacity to turn any group of photos into a collage, and to bring
together photos from several different sources (tablets, phones, laptops,
social media sites and so on), so that they are all in one place. Nerokiwk is
able to access these various locations, removing the need for manual uploading
and/or organizing.

Nerokwik allows easy
navigation of photos through its timeline browser and one of the app’s most
innovative features is ‘Tapestries’, which enables the creation of dynamic and
exciting photo albums, which can be shared via Facebook or Google Plus, or over
email, and stored on cloud through SugarSync. These albums can be arranged
according to the user’s preferences, and are easily updated. Family, friends,
critics and admirers are able to make comments and give feedback.

Users’ Feedback

From 87 reviews on
Google Play, Nerokwik has received an average of 4.1 stars, with 57 of them at
5 stars, and 12 of them at 1 star.

There is consistent
positive feedback, in terms of Nerokwik being described as fun, easy-to-use and
quick to install. Many users have commented on the clarity and simplicity of
the interface. They also enjoy the fluent connection between the app and other
photo storage areas, including Facebook.

Some of the negative
feedback included disappointment that the app does not allow for editing, even
at the basic level. Some users have put in requests that simple tools, such as
cropping, should be added. A small numbers of users have complained of problems
with installation and saving photos. One or two have expressed a wish that
Nerokwik be linked to other social networks (apart from Facebook).

Pros

Nerokwik has a
simple-to-operate, intuitive interface; and rapid installation speed. Its photo
album tool is particularly dynamic, and allows for individual artistic
expression, as well allowing for feedback. Users are able to gather together
photos from disparate sources (including phones, tablets, laptops and Facebook).

Cons

Nerokwik enables for
sharing and creation of albums, but does not include any editing tools, even of
the most basic variety (cropping, resizing and so forth). Another disadvantage
is that the only social networks with which the app connects are Facebook and
Google Plus.

PhotoFolio for
PhotoBucket

PhotoFolio forPhotoBucketenables users to create photo
galleries and upload them. It is particularly useful and efficient when it
comes to offline viewing.

One of its important
features is its ‘automatic download’ tool. Users can choose to have images
automatically downloaded, which means they can be viewed offline at any time.
Android 4.2 devices that have the app can run slideshows via Daydreams while
docking or charging.

PhotoFolio for
PhotoBucket allows the easy uploading of shots, as well. It is even possible to
upload multiple photos while you are busy using your device to perform other
tasks. The photos can be placed on PhotoBucket, where they can be shared, liked
and commented on. PhotoBucket also features ‘favourite’ and ‘most popular’
photos.

Albums can be created,
deleted, edited, updated, moved and shared with ease. The interface is
particularly easy to navigate and has an attractive appearance on both tablets
and phones.

Users’ Feedback

Of 22 reviews on Google
Play, PhotoFolio for PhotoBucket has received an average of 4.5 stars. There
are 16 5-star reviews and 2 1-star reviews.

Positive feedback
includes commentary on the app’s ease-of-use and its capacity to deal with
thousands of photos. Many users have said that they were previously unable to
find an app that worked well with PhotoBucket, and are very pleased to have
found PhotoFolio. Some have said that it has made PhotoBucket much, much easier
to use and that it has given them total control over their photo collection.

Some users have expressd
the opinion that the album browser could have a better appearance. They have
suggested that it be organised differently, to include thumbnails, rather than
one long list. Another suggestion is that the grouping system be changed
slightly, so that albums can feature ‘sub-albums’.

Pros

PhotoFolio for
PhotoBucket makes PhotoBucket easier to use. Many users have commented that it
performs much better than other, similar apps. It enables uploading and
downloading of multiple shots, even when the device concerned is being used to
perform other operations. Albums can be created, deleted, edited, updated and
shared easily, both offline and online. The interface looks good and is
simple-to navigate.

Cons

The appearance of albums
is not particularly easy on the eye, as links are structured as a list, rather
than as thumbnails. Also, it is not possible to create ‘sub-albums’ within a
particular album.

MyShoebox

Description

MyShoeboxis an app that provides backup for
images across all of a user’s devices. This backup is both free and unlimited,
and can be programmed to occur automatically. MyShoebox is designed to remove
the stress that can be caused by losing photos and the special memories
connected to them. Basically, this app means that your tablet or phone can
carry every single photo that you have ever wanted to keep, without the
device’s storage space being overloaded.

MyShoebox can be used on
all operating systems, including Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. It is
totally private – its security system is as complex as those employed by
financial institutions. Users can create albums and share them with contacts
and connections, with more than one person can collaborating on an album.
Photos can be organised in a range of ways, to meet the user’s needs. A free
30-day trial is available.

Users’ Feedback

Out of 64 reviews on
Google Play, MyShoebox has received a 3.4 star average, with 29 reviews at 5
star level and 16 reviews at 1-star level.

Many users have
expressed positive feedback with regard to the app’s capacity for free and
unlimited storage. They are very happy with the high level of privacy and
security, which is extremely important as hacking becomes more and more
problematic. Many users have praised the app’s ability to deal with a diverse
number of platforms, devices and operating systems (both Mac and PC are
supported).

Negative feedback
includes complaints that the app only supports photos that are up to 1074
pixels in size. This seems to have proved frustrating for users who prefer to
work with images at a higher resolution. Also, its rather specific and unusual
categorisation system has inspired some negative feedback. Users argue that is
unsuitable to their needs and creates confusion.

Pros

MyShoebox’s free,
unlimited storage capacity is one of its strengths. It works across a range of
platforms and devices, and enables users to access their PC or Mac photos via
their mobile or tablet, without comprising memory. The app also enables users
to create, share and collaborate on photo albums.

Cons

MyShoebox’s
categorisation system might prove inconvenient for some users, as it is based
on notions such as time, season and date. Some users have complained that its
sync tool applies to all the photos on a device, and cannot be organised
manually. Also, MyShoebox’s ‘unlimited’ photo storage capacity only applies to
images that are up to 1074 pixels in size.